Chhattisgarh is leading the entire country in forest produce even as the Covid-19 induced lockdown has derailed forest-based economic activities across the country,
The revenue of forest dwellers is expected to be about Rs 2,500 crores, officials said.
According to data received from TRIFED, one lakh quintal forest produce has been collected in the state so far, for which collectors have been paid over Rs 30 crores.
Due to the closure of factories in the lockdown, forest dwellers are getting employment in gathering forest produce, thus contributing to Chhattisgarh's economy in a major way.
The state collects 15 lakh standard sacks of tendu leaves every year. This provides work to 12.65 lakh families.
The value of tendu patta has been hiked to Rs 4,000 per standard bag by the government, giving them a direct benefit of Rs 649 crores.
In Chhattisgarh, the government has increased the number of forest products purchased through the minimum support price mechanism from 7 to 25.
A total of Rs 930 crores of forest produce brought under the purview of the scheme is traded in the state. The forest produce is being procured through 866 hot markets.
Employment is created through wood art development, lac bangles manufacturing, dona-pattal making, drug processing, honey processing, bell metal and terracotta handicrafts work.
Through the Forest Development Corporation, about 14,000 youths are given employment through construction of bamboo tree guards, bamboo furniture manufacturing and planting of medicinal plants among others.
Similarly, with the help of CFTRI Mysore, production of Mahua-based energy bar, chocolate, pickle, sanitizer, amla-based dehydrated products, tamarind candy, jamun juice, bell sharbat, bell marmalade, chironji and cashew packets are planned. This will provide work to more than 5,000 families.
Tea plantation in Jashpur and Surguja districts directly benefit the beneficiaries.
During the Covid-19 crisis, some 1,000 women have got employment by sewing of 50 lakh masks.
In the current year, about 12,000 women have received an additional income of over Rs 3 crore from primary processing of tamarind.
In order to increase the income of the forest dwellers in 2019, a total of 18,56,000 fruitful and beneficial varieties of saplings were planted on their own land of 10,497 forest dwellers. The target for 2020 is 70 lakh plants.
As part of efforts to promote lac production, 36,000 main farmers have been selected in 164 production areas. About 12,000 quintals of vermi compost is produced every year by about 800 beneficiaries.
Other key activities include conservation of ground water, improvement of degraded forests, harvesting, forest planting, river bank planting, organic manure production and construction of seed ball.